Old Bridge Student’s Swastika Drawing Leads To Apology

Officials have apologized to an 8-year-old student of Hindu heritage and his parents after he included a swastika in a holiday drawing.

James McDivitt Elementary School in Old Bridge (Old Bridge School District)

Officials told the Home News Tribune the third grader at James McDivitt Elementary School in OldBridge received counseling to assure him he had done nothing wrong and to let him know that different cultures perceive the swastika differently.

That drew criticism from the International Raelian Movement, which believes humans were created by extraterrestrials. It also believes the swastika is actually a symbol of peace and beauty that was corrupted by Nazis.

On its website, the group said the swastika is a symbol of good will to Hindus worldwide. The group said school officials needed counseling and not the student.